We’ve got end-of-term-itis.
It’s a common affliction with young children (and their parents!) at this time of year. There’s so much going on at nursery and school, dark so early in the evenings and so late in the mornings, it’s been a long time since they had a break. This morning we really struggled to get Li’l Bhaji out of bed at 7.20am – unusual for him, as normally he wakes all the rest of us up at 6.30am. Akra Jr has been argumentative and pushing every boundary possible.
We’re actually looking forward to school breaking up.
The problem is, the Christmas holidays are never much of a break for them. There’s so much hype and expectation running up to Christmas Day… all the full on family stuff… the running around getting last minute chores done before the big day. Then afterwards, there’s the clear-up, the thank you letters, the packing away… normality only just returns before they’re packed off back to school and nursery again. It’s not until after the February half term that they get a genuine rest and start becoming pleasant little humans again.
It seems to be a recognised phenomenon, at least in our local primary. The teachers have often commented to me that January is the worst time for bad behaviour, tiredness, and tearfulness.
Still, given the choice, I much prefer them having the extra weeks off in the summer with the weather to match (sometimes!) rather than in the dark days of winter. I just hope that we get through to February relatively sane.
Wish me luck.
7 responses so far ↓
1 Dom // 13th Dec 2007 at 3:30 pm
Good luck!
And on the bright side, the days start getting longer next week. Slowly. :)
2 cassie-b // 13th Dec 2007 at 3:35 pm
Good luck. This is a more difficult time to keep the little ones busy, that’s for sure.
Have a wonderful Christmas season!
Cas
3 Blue Witch // 13th Dec 2007 at 3:37 pm
Wonderful to hear that there is one parent left in the world who still beleives in thank you letters :)
4 Blue Witch // 13th Dec 2007 at 3:37 pm
If only my fingers could spell…
5 Tami // 13th Dec 2007 at 4:14 pm
My daughter is only off from December 21st until January 2nd. Not counting weekends, that’s only eight “school days” missed. It used to be longer when I was a child. Then again, we never had a week off for a Fall Break.
I bet all teachers would agree that January is a hard month ;)
6 Miss L // 14th Dec 2007 at 9:41 am
As an ‘ex’ – yes, it is an awful time to be returning. Even though the evenings are getting lighter, getting up in the morning is so difficult. Enjoy the holidays – sleep late!!
7 Pewari // 14th Dec 2007 at 10:26 pm
BW: I think there’s more than just one parent if the threads that turn up on Mumsnet regarding thank you letters are anything to go by :) Civilization hasn’t quite decayed yet.
Tami: yikes, and I thought ours was short :o
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